imperialism
[ im-peer-ee-uh-liz-uh m ]
/ ɪmˈpɪər i əˌlɪz əm /
noun
the policy of extending the rule or authority of an empire or nation over foreign countries, or of acquiring and holding colonies and dependencies.
advocacy of imperial or sovereign interests over the interests of the dependent states.
imperial government; rule by an emperor or empress.
an imperial system of government.
British. the policy of so uniting the separate parts of an empire with separate governments as to secure for certain purposes a single state.
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
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British Dictionary definitions for imperialism
imperialism
/ (ɪmˈpɪərɪəˌlɪzəm) /
noun
the policy or practice of extending a state's rule over other territories
an instance or policy of aggressive behaviour by one state against another
the extension or attempted extension of authority, influence, power, etc, by any person, country, institution, etccultural imperialism
a system of imperial government or rule by an emperor
the spirit, character, authority, etc, of an empire
advocacy of or support for any form of imperialism
Derived Forms
imperialist, adjective, nounimperialistic, adjectiveimperialistically, adverbCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Culture definitions for imperialism
imperialism
Acquisition by a government of other governments or territories, or of economic or cultural power over other nations or territories, often by force. Colonialism is a form of imperialism.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.